BOCA RATON – Nothing has been handed to Andy Caverly.
The Boca Raton senior quarterback has earned all his stripes the traditional way. He has proven himself to his teammates, his coaches, and the Bobcats faithful fan base.
It may have taken his entire high school football career to reach this point. But it doesn’t matter how long it takes to achieve a goal; it only matters that it was done the right way.
This is how Boca Raton head coach Brandon Walker sees it.
“Andy has prepared himself for four years to be in this position,” Walker said. “Going into this season, the picture looked a little different. But he’s stepped in the role as our starting quarterback, and guys have rallied around him. He’s gotten better every week. He’s managed the game for us, and that’s all we’re asking him to do: be a game manager, put the ball where it needs to be, and make great reads. He’s done a good job at that all year.”
The best play from Boca Raton’s 43-28 win over Santaluces in Week 9 was a perfectly timed 60-yard touchdown pass in the first half from Caverly to Breakthrough Player of Week 8 and junior Ashton Gillotte. On that play, only Gillotte could have caught the ball and got past the Santaluces secondary en route to the end zone.
Watching how that particular play unfolded, among many others, MVP of Week 8 and senior athlete Tra’Nell Hollis has been inspired by Caverly’s level of commitment to the team and the game itself.
“Andy has improved on his decision making as a quarterback during those last three wins,” Hollis said. “He’s found ways to protect the ball, be a leader, and put points on the board.”
Caverly threw for another score earlier in last week’s 15-point win over Santaluces. It was a 17-yarder to sophomore athlete Matthew Smiciklas, which helped to make the score 20-6 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.
“My two touchdowns were set up by the run,” Caverly said. “Offense pounded it through, o-line blocked, wide receivers got open, and the ball got to where it needed to be. The receivers just made the plays.”
Caverly’s overall play in a game of this magnitude is the primary reason why he bested the competition for Breakthrough Player of Week 9 honors.
With two games left in the regular season, Caverly will need to continue his stellar production against Spanish River in Week 10 and Dwyer in Week 11. If he can lead Boca Raton to wins in both games, his team will finish with a 7-3 record and a likely spot in the Class 8A playoffs.
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
